If you were to go to war today, which knife would you take with you?

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I've read a few articles here and there to that effect. I heard they no longer teach Rifle Bayonet Training with the pugil sticks, etc. in basic training.

Does the Army even still issue them?

Bayonet and pugil training was taught in 08 to my cycle at Ft Benning. But my buddy in the cycle behind me wasn't taught bayonet training. And we graduated 1-2 weeks apart. Same MOS and even the same training battalion. I was never issued a bayonet, not even once outside of the bayonet course. Every unit I was with (active/NG/Res) had them on the books. Inventoried them, kept them clean and oiled, but never issued. Even for deployments. And not all units will issue knives. One unit I was in issued everyone a Gerber Sheepsfoot knife. I wasn't a fan of the blade shape and traded it off since they wouldn't ask for it back.
 
When I was a grunt in a heavy foliage environment, I carried a Himalayan Imports kukri much like this, only with subdued grip tape covering the glossy handle. As a mortarman, a machete was on our TO&E, to cut sight lanes. I got permission from my SGT to carry a kuk instead.

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First deployment: custom 52100 fixed blade, Spyderco Native Lightweight. (Though this one I used on several fire missions was sent to me by Spyderco.)

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Second deployment: Don Valkman custom Combat Shark, ARK, Spyderco Manix 2 XL (that I abused the hell out of).

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John
 
Other knives I have carried while in uniform: (the little Swiss Army knife with cigar cutter was sent to me by ugaarguy), Spyderco Ronin 2 on LBV, Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight, Shirley/Owens Daily Kiri (this one in coated 3V).

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If I was looking for a lightweight but useful, and potentially even concealable deployment fixed blade, I would consider the Ronin 2 or Street Bowie (pictured). The Street Beat would be a good choice if I wanted an even shorter, lighter FB.

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My home plate carrier wears a Kabar-made Ek #5. It's a good choice in a full-size but lightweight fighting knife.

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My heavy "exercise plate carrier" with mounted pockets holding additional weight wears a Spyderco Q Ball, just in case!

If it's not clear, I'm a big believer in a 3-4" fixed blade for deployment blades. This is based on my experience that modern combat troops rarely need a blade as a fighting tool, and space and weight are at a premium, but may need a knife very fast for other reasons.

I am, however, working on a true compact combat/fighting knife. Which I hope will be wildly popular, but see less work in its designed role than the Kabar Tactical Spork.

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John
 
You guys are a bad influence. I'm now seriously shopping for a fixed blade knife, for which I have no use. LOL.
 
Be glad you weren't issued bayonets, just some more weight to carry, along with heavy rubber ponchos, heavy canvas, but useless, shelter halves, steel pot helmets, etc.

Those I had. I also spent much of my time in a mountain warfare unit. Skis, snowshoes, ski poles, 13 man tents, and if we really wanted a bad time Ahkio sled.
https://go-armynavy.com/us-military-scow-ahkio-sled/

Where deployed matters greatly. When I moved to warmer areas, that meant training in warmer weather. Swamps and jungles. I felt like a real dunce the first time I was Army camping in a swamp without a machete.
 
You guys are a bad influence. I'm now seriously shopping for a fixed blade knife, for which I have no use. LOL.

I've carried a folder when out of the house, where legal, since 1994. After I enlisted in the Army in 2001, I discovered that a folder wasn't always sufficient. This hard truth I learned when a team member narrowly escaped injury because I couldn't get to my knife in time- because I was wearing rain gear, so the knife was clipped to my pocket beneath it. After that, I have always carried a fixed blade on my LBV or body armor, because sometimes a folder may not be fast enough. Blade size doesn't usually matter, but speed does. For civilians, generally a fixed blade is only really important if you are going to be working outside, or may be in an emergency situation...which I guess combat definitely qualifies as! Aside from the many standard things one might use knives for on deployments, like opening mail, packages, cutting 550 cord, etc, I have also used my knives to cut into mortar "tootsie roll" ammo carriers, chop the bands off ammo crates, cut power cables off military gear, and even used my Shane Justice to pry a frozen 120mm mortar round out (obvious abuse, I know).

The exception to my FB policy was when I discovered the WAVE and a sheath called a Speed Dialer. With this combination, you can mount a Spyderco Endura with WAVE on your gear. If you need an emergency sharp, you grab and pull, and the blade deploys as you pull. You get the speed of a FB, with the lessened "real estate" on your gear of a folder. (Note that I haven't talked to On Scene in years, so please reach out to them before you send them money.)

As herrwalther points out, where you are makes a huge amount of difference. I would have a machete, kukri, or one of my Camp Defenders if I was in an environment and posture which called for it. Similarly, when I was out hunting on the late Byron Quick's family land, I always carried a kukri with me. I would almost always take the time to clear out a few encroaching small trees on the way back to the cabin after the morning's hunt. Likewise, if I had land of my own, I would always have a large blade on my ATV or in my truck if I was out. The one time I was visiting moderator AC on his large tract of land, and had forgotten a large knife, I regretted it. Every other time I've had a large blade with me, and have always been glad I have.

If you're outdoors in a non-combat environment, and weight isn't a huge concern, Varusteleka's excellent Skrama 240 is a terrific, versatile option. This and a small FB or sturdy folder will handle all cutting chores smaller than chainsaw size. Another good option for outdoor use and some wooded military environments would be the RTAK 2. (Both of these blades would make devastating weapons if you were attacked while using one, btw.)

John
 
When I was a grunt in a heavy foliage environment, I carried a Himalayan Imports kukri much like this, only with subdued grip tape covering the glossy handle. As a mortarman, a machete was on our TO&E, to cut sight lanes. I got permission from my SGT to carry a kuk instead.

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First deployment: custom 52100 fixed blade, Spyderco Native Lightweight. (Though this one I used on several fire missions was sent to me by Spyderco.)

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Second deployment: Don Valkman custom Combat Shark, ARK, Spyderco Manix 2 XL (that I abused the hell out of).

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John
81's or 60? My MOS was 0351 but all that stuff was already obsolete. When I was actually assigned to a rifle company I was assigned to a 60 mm mortar squad (stateside) in the weapons platoon. In addition to carrying a rifle and other gear, I had the pleasure of carrying a PRC 25 and either a baseplate, a tube or a bipod. And maybe a few rounds to boot. What fun.
 
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Likely would take what I took last time; Randall #15 on my armor, old Leatherman as I like the smaller version on my belt. Buck 110 if not limited to how many I can have and a large toothpick in my right boot (odd but it carried so well I forgot about it and made sense for that time/place).

Would depend a lot on location, mission, and my role. The Randall is large/heavy and I'm not looking to go to a knife fight but it was comforting at times.
 
81's or 60? My MOS was 0351 but all that stuff was already obsolete. When I was actually assigned to a rifle company I was assigned to a 60 mm mortar squad (stateside) in the weapons platoon. In addition to carrying a rifle and other gear, I had the pleasure of carrying a PRC 25 and either a baseplate, a tube or a bipod. And maybe a few rounds to boot. What fun.
Both 81s and 60s, with 120 for good measure! When I was first at my unit, I found myself marching with the 60mm with bipod and M8 baseplate in my arms, with the larger baseplate on my ruck, and the sight in the ruck! Fortunately, my load lessened a little when we got a couple more Soldiers.

A few years later, I found myself on a remote ODA firebase in Afghanistan, with 4 other 11Cs, but 2 60mms, a 81mm, and a 120mm! Most of the time we only used the 81mm and 120mm, already laid in on TRPs, so we could get away with having so few troops (for a little while, anyway).
 
10th Mt. Div. out of Ft. Drum? Coldest place ever, and that was in the summer. lol

Frost on the ground in June.

That was one place. I also spent a "warm" period at the Arctic Warfare Training Center at Ft Wainright in Alaska. Spring in Ft Drum, right around April was worse than winter for me. That is when the water thawed enough for the mosquitos to hatch. Would have half a squad at a time voluntarily guarding the ammo building to get away from them at night. Little known fact about 10th Mtn, they have a detached brigade stationed at Ft Polk. Very much a non mountainous area, and Drum is gentle rolling hills by comparison.

No matter the unit I was in that Samish knife rode on every kit I found room for it on. Usually mounted blade up around my left bicep and collar bone (I shoot right handed so I kept that area clutter free). Placed there I could grab it with either hand for fastest deployment possible. A 3" fixed knife is going to be faster than the folder in your pocket. I had some commands, like in the 101 that had a no fixed blade policy. Even when outside the US. So guys that had a dozen or maybe 2 dozen types of various edged tools (fixed, folders, machetes, even some tomahawks and axes) in their bag were more adaptable than the ones who bought a half dozen Randalls or other expensive knives.
https://botach.com/mcnett-60156-tactical-samish-stiletto-fixed-blade-knife/
 
if i were young & sent to war (THANK GOD I was never put to the test!) i would bring different knives for different environments.

If i wanted to go out in style i would take my Gerber coffin handled Bowie:

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Otherwise i would take my Esee Junglas, Esee 4, Leatherman Wave with bit kit, & Esee Candiru neck knife, oh, & if we're counting any cutting devise i would also have my Gerber Mil-spec Concertina Wire Cutters.
 
So this was the only other knife I was actually issued in a bit over twenty years on active duty (I lost the original, still have the scabbard, bought this one on Midway). Didn't take it to war as I was no longer diving. But, I still love these knives, they're freakin' indestructible.

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Same ones I took before.....Benchmade AFCK or Spyderco Endura with a Leatherman.....no fixed blades!
 
I carried my D2 Kabar in a Blackhawk Airborne Deluxe sheath, that I still have. The sheath in the long run was more useful than the knife. It has a spot on the back where I could store a small sharpening stone. And it has a separate pouch on front that is the perfect size for a Beretta 92 magazine or Leatherman tool. Unfortunately, they stopped making it. Easily better than the sheath that came with the knife, which I don't believe I have anymore.
 
Well, my Applegate–Fairbairn is on my war belt, but I'd want a more utility style blade for long term use, so probably my ZT 0100.
 
The Smatchet would be useful at close range, but would it be worth the weight penalty if you're carrying a lot of armor, ammo, and 1 or 2 firearms? Not to mention radios and other commo devices, GPS, food, water, binos, NVGs, batteries- you get the picture.
 
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